Yvonne Evelyn Cutchie Newton passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011 in Tonasket after a short illness.

She was born March 16, 1921 in Oroville as the oldest child of pioneer ranchers Claude and Mabel Cutchie, descendants of the first white settler in the Chopaka Valley north of Loomis. As a girl her best friend was noted local historian Ann Briley; both were contributing writers to the Gazette-Tribune as adults. Their lives were filled with days on horseback on both sides of the U.S. – Canada border. As a young woman, Yvonne was swimming in the Similkameen River when she met Willard Newell Newton of Tonasket, who was trapping muskrats. After a brief courtship they were married Sept. 21, 1940. With the exception of a few months they lived in the Loomis area all their lives. In 1950 both Willard and Yvonne took jobs with the U.S. Postal Service in Loomis. Yvonne retired as Postmaster in 1985. Yvonne was a member of Loomis Community Church. She was known for her effective prayers of healing for many.

Survivors include her brother Norman, of Chopaka; four children and their beloved spouses: Claude and Linda of Wannacut Lake, Stan and Virginia of Burgas, Bulgaria, Randall and Teresa of Tonasket and Janine and Rennie McCormick of Tonasket; 19 grandchildren, 2 honorary grandchildren from Ukraine and Pakistan and 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willard; sons, Bruce and Gary and one grandson.

A celebration of life was held Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 at 3 p.m. at the Tonasket Assembly of God Church. Memorial donations may be given to the Okanogan County Historical Society.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.